Published 12:00 am, Friday, October 28, 2011

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

New Haven Police Capt. Joanne Peterson holds a photo of her son, Tristan, who died two months ago in a drowning accident. Peterson's family and friends -- daughter Gabriella, 7, lower left; son Ryan, 4, who is Tristan's twin, center; daughter Julia, 10, lower right; partner Erica Schultz, third from left; and friends Deborah DelToro of North Branford, left, and Maria Ferrara of Guilford, right -- will be holding a Haunted House fundraiser for Dravet Syndrome, from 5:30-9 p.m. today at 110 High Meadow Road, Guilford. Tristan had Dravet Syndrome.
Mara Lavitt/Register less

New Haven Police Capt. Joanne Peterson holds a photo of her son, Tristan, who died two months ago in a drowning accident. Peterson's family and friends -- daughter Gabriella, 7, lower left; son Ryan, 4, who is ... more

GUILFORD -- Little 4-year-old Tristan Peterson loved going in pools and was always attracted to water. But on Sept. 3, his life ended because of an accident at a neighbor's pool.

Because he had a form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome that delayed his development, Tristan didn't understand he should wear a life jacket or know how to swim, and a dip in the water often gave him seizures.

On that September morning, he managed to get away from a baby-sitter and run across the street to a neighbor's pool. He was soon found unresponsive in the water and died after being taken to the hospital.

Tristan left a big impact on everyone around him during his short life, his mother Joann Peterson says, and his family and friends are going to make sure he continues impacting others even now. They're holding a haunted house event and fundraiser at Peterson's house tonight and tomorrow.

Donations are being accepted for tours through the haunted house set up on Peterson's property and for baked goods that will be on sale at the entrance. All proceeds will benefit the Dravet Syndrome Foundation.

"His brothers and sisters wanted to do something for Tristan and other kids who have Dravet," said Peterson, a New Haven police captain who has three other children. "It was all the kids' idea because they wanted to do something in honor of their brother. ... Their hearts are as broken as mine."

Tristan, who has a twin brother, had his first seizures when he was almost four months old. After numerous doctors' tests, he was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, which has no cure.

The rare form of epilepsy causes quick, small seizures and more major ones that can last a few hours, according to Lori O'Driscoll, founder of the Dravet Syndrome Foundation. It causes behavior and developmental delays, movement and balance problems and growth issues.

O'Driscoll, a Monroe resident whose 6-year-old daughter Ciara has Dravet Syndrome, said she'll be attending the haunted house event and is "just awestruck at the courage that they have."

"I think it's such a great way to honor him and his memory," she added.

Tristan experienced hundreds of small seizures and up to three major ones each day, during which his head would drop and eyes would close. But he was a happy kid who said "Hi" to everyone he saw and loved blowing bubbles.

"My son gave me the gift of unconditional love. He never knew the words "I love you," but I knew without a doubt my son loved me with his whole heart, and he knew I loved him," his mother said.

Peterson believes more kids have Dravet Syndrome than are actually reported. When Tristan was diagnosed a few years ago, only about 600 other cases were known. She hopes donating proceeds from the haunted house event will help fund more research and allow more people to be properly diagnosed.

Family friend Maria Ferrara is helping put on the fundraiser and said the haunted house includes a haunted daycare, a "blood and guts café," a mad scientist scene and more. There will also be games for kids.

"It's for a great cause. We had a really special, special little boy in our lives," Ferrara said. "We'd love to prevent another tragedy for someone else."

The haunted house is open at 110 High Meadow Road Saturday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m.